2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
01-19-2009, 07:40 PM
#1
2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
As most of you know, I have finally been able to complete my "stoplight" collection with the recent addition of a 1992 Jamaica Yellow L98 Trans Am.
I flew to LA on Friday and drove this car back home to Chicago. What a trip.
This is an original owner car that has spent all it's life within a few miles of Torrance CA. 144,356 miles at time of delivery on Friday and 146,500 now sitting in my garage next to it's brother, my other 1992 TA.
This is THE cleanest 146K mile car one could possibly imagine, kudos go out to the older Japanese guy that bought it new and kept it in immaculate shape. The paint is not faded, the interior is not torn or faded, no body damage and of course no rust. The car runs like a new car. 2100 miles we drove it, at some pretty high sustained speeds and not a single problem!
Of course we found out the hard way that the heater core was leaking at some point, because it is bypassed and there is no heat in the car! Gets kinda cold in the dessert at night.
Here's some pics, more at my Photobucket:
http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q...%20Trans%20Am/
I'll have more pics in the Summer with all 3 cars.
I flew to LA on Friday and drove this car back home to Chicago. What a trip.
This is an original owner car that has spent all it's life within a few miles of Torrance CA. 144,356 miles at time of delivery on Friday and 146,500 now sitting in my garage next to it's brother, my other 1992 TA.
This is THE cleanest 146K mile car one could possibly imagine, kudos go out to the older Japanese guy that bought it new and kept it in immaculate shape. The paint is not faded, the interior is not torn or faded, no body damage and of course no rust. The car runs like a new car. 2100 miles we drove it, at some pretty high sustained speeds and not a single problem!
Of course we found out the hard way that the heater core was leaking at some point, because it is bypassed and there is no heat in the car! Gets kinda cold in the dessert at night.
Here's some pics, more at my Photobucket:
http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q...%20Trans%20Am/
I'll have more pics in the Summer with all 3 cars.
01-19-2009, 08:23 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Wow, what a great car going to a great guy and and great collection. I'm very happy for ya!
....and it's even better to see you drove it home. The chase and the ride home make this car almost priceless. We drove #26 2,200 miles back and my wife is far more interested in the story.... if we didn't take that trip (she was 6 months pregnant) she wouldn't give a crap about the car....
Were you able to get any of the original paperwork or meet the lady?
....and it's even better to see you drove it home. The chase and the ride home make this car almost priceless. We drove #26 2,200 miles back and my wife is far more interested in the story.... if we didn't take that trip (she was 6 months pregnant) she wouldn't give a crap about the car....
Were you able to get any of the original paperwork or meet the lady?
01-19-2009, 08:29 PM
#6
Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Wow, what a great car going to a great guy and and great collection. I'm very happy for ya!
....and it's even better to see you drove it home. The chase and the ride home make this car almost priceless. We drove #26 2,200 miles back and my wife is far more interested in the story.... if we didn't take that trip (she was 6 months pregnant) she wouldn't give a crap about the car....
Were you able to get any of the original paperwork or meet the lady?
....and it's even better to see you drove it home. The chase and the ride home make this car almost priceless. We drove #26 2,200 miles back and my wife is far more interested in the story.... if we didn't take that trip (she was 6 months pregnant) she wouldn't give a crap about the car....
Were you able to get any of the original paperwork or meet the lady?
Unfortunately I did not get to speak with the owner's wife, apparently she does not speak much English, and I was unable to find out if she has any paperwork, but I did ask the sales manager to make a copy of the original title when he gets it from her and to leave my name and number with her in case she decides to find some paperwork.
01-19-2009, 08:38 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Thanks Greg! Driving the Hawk must have been a thrill! I can imagine the looks you might have gotten.
Unfortunately I did not get to speak with the owner's wife, apparently she does not speak much English, and I was unable to find out if she has any paperwork, but I did ask the sales manager to make a copy of the original title when he gets it from her and to leave my name and number with her in case she decides to find some paperwork.
Unfortunately I did not get to speak with the owner's wife, apparently she does not speak much English, and I was unable to find out if she has any paperwork, but I did ask the sales manager to make a copy of the original title when he gets it from her and to leave my name and number with her in case she decides to find some paperwork.
Hardly a person noticed the Hawk. Most people belive a third gen is only good for a trailer park and a ******.
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01-19-2009, 09:00 PM
#8
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Sweet car. Definitely worth the trip IMO! 
Please tell me you didn't take a lifelong Southern California car and drive it through snow! The pic of the car in your garage makes me wonder...
Please tell me you didn't take a lifelong Southern California car and drive it through snow! The pic of the car in your garage makes me wonder...
01-19-2009, 09:03 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
The car looks great. Glad you had a nice trip back. I love that drive. But I think your temps there in Chicago are a little bit colder than our deserts, lol!
01-20-2009, 05:52 AM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
That's my dream right there!! Fly out and drive the car home, Kudos man!
Beautiful ride!
Beautiful ride!
01-21-2009, 02:35 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Congratulations! That is quite a collection.
What a whirlwind trip it must have been to go out there and bring it back so quickly.
What a whirlwind trip it must have been to go out there and bring it back so quickly.
01-22-2009, 11:37 PM
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Car: 91 GTA & 92 GTA & 92 GTA
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
I got to keep my California personalized plates too when I brought my 92 GTA to Canada from Palm Springs.
03-09-2009, 01:33 PM
#15
Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Here's a link to more:
http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q...%20Trans%20Am/
Now it's time for the "refreshening" as I call it. The car needs a heater core, intake gasket is leaking, pinion leak, p/s leak. Hood and Hatch shocks, minor interior repair to the center console, Major washing in/out and underneath, I'm gonna strip the decals off, completely strip everything off the paint and start from scratch to rebuild the shine that I know this paint still has it in. Re-decal it with Phoenix Graphics, the wheels will either be refinished or replaced, and get some appropriate tires on it. Also gonna put the original UX1 cassette deck in the car, with a hidden ipod input and replace the speakers with some new ones.
If anyone is interested in the current Clarion CD player in the car let me know, I'll have it up in the for sale section soon.
More pics will follow as I start the refreshening.
http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q...%20Trans%20Am/
Now it's time for the "refreshening" as I call it. The car needs a heater core, intake gasket is leaking, pinion leak, p/s leak. Hood and Hatch shocks, minor interior repair to the center console, Major washing in/out and underneath, I'm gonna strip the decals off, completely strip everything off the paint and start from scratch to rebuild the shine that I know this paint still has it in. Re-decal it with Phoenix Graphics, the wheels will either be refinished or replaced, and get some appropriate tires on it. Also gonna put the original UX1 cassette deck in the car, with a hidden ipod input and replace the speakers with some new ones.
If anyone is interested in the current Clarion CD player in the car let me know, I'll have it up in the for sale section soon.
More pics will follow as I start the refreshening.
03-09-2009, 01:50 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Hey Mark, is that a factory hood prop rod? HaHa!!! Make sure you keep that to hold your hood up for Thirdgen Fest this year, that ought to be good for a few extra votes. Looks like you've got some engine cleaning to do before then.
03-09-2009, 02:36 PM
#18
Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Yeah Denny that is an OEM part, RPO "POS" it's even in my SPID sheet!
It is actually quite well made, from a broomstick handle, microfiber towels and electrical tape. It came with the car, so it was obvious from the first minute that the previous owners did not feel like ponying up the $150 or so for all 4 shocks. Thanks, add that to my bill... I will bring the prop rod, and win best modified Camaro!
It is actually quite well made, from a broomstick handle, microfiber towels and electrical tape. It came with the car, so it was obvious from the first minute that the previous owners did not feel like ponying up the $150 or so for all 4 shocks. Thanks, add that to my bill... I will bring the prop rod, and win best modified Camaro!
03-09-2009, 02:39 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
WOW man, Congrats; its' flippin beautiful
03-09-2009, 03:04 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
That is soooooo coool!!!!!!!
03-09-2009, 04:23 PM
#21
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
I've never seen a 3rd gen TA, with the Trans Am door decals, in that locarion. Did the original owner do that for some reason?
03-09-2009, 04:42 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
I like em.
Last edited by TAGTASCOTTY; 03-09-2009 at 04:46 PM. Reason: e-mail that was sent me, was about decals i thought he meant mine.
03-09-2009, 04:44 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Actually, no...
I was referring to 'Trans Am' on the ground fx, under the curve, on the door.
I was referring to 'Trans Am' on the ground fx, under the curve, on the door.
03-09-2009, 04:48 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Yeah i gottcha, Brain fart man.
03-09-2009, 04:56 PM
#25
Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
It's a dark picture, but you can see it's on the door, under the curve.
03-09-2009, 08:27 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
congratulations RPM on the find! Amazing how many miles that car has on it but still i bet it spent many days in the sun and being adorn by envy goers...
Are you planning on freshing up on the engine as well?....at least if your keeping it stock with the same engine i suggest doing some basic engine work...there are kits that are avalible and i'd be more then happy to help ya on anything! A few years back i did some upper engine work on my baby's heart and she's been doing great. Last year i did a compression check and she's holding just fine after 40,000 extra miles i put on her since i bought her in '03, which at the time she had only 49,000....(tears)
hope to see ya with at least one of your cars around at the local cruise in or car shows!
Are you planning on freshing up on the engine as well?....at least if your keeping it stock with the same engine i suggest doing some basic engine work...there are kits that are avalible and i'd be more then happy to help ya on anything! A few years back i did some upper engine work on my baby's heart and she's been doing great. Last year i did a compression check and she's holding just fine after 40,000 extra miles i put on her since i bought her in '03, which at the time she had only 49,000....(tears)
hope to see ya with at least one of your cars around at the local cruise in or car shows!
03-10-2009, 10:47 AM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
I found a Jamaica Yellow T/A on eBay this week. Only catch was that the idiot painted it...RED.
Red "Jamaica Yellow" car
Red "Jamaica Yellow" car
03-10-2009, 11:04 AM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
i never want a red car... it adds to your insurance :P
03-10-2009, 11:23 AM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
I found a Jamaica Yellow T/A on eBay this week. Only catch was that the idiot painted it...RED.
Red "Jamaica Yellow" car
Red "Jamaica Yellow" car
03-10-2009, 08:49 PM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Congrats to the OP....
What a beautiful car
I love this picture!
What a beautiful car
I love this picture!
03-11-2009, 10:02 AM
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
I found a Jamaica Yellow T/A on eBay this week. Only catch was that the idiot painted it...RED.
Red "Jamaica Yellow" car
Red "Jamaica Yellow" car
03-12-2009, 09:56 PM
#36
Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
Thanks! I must agree that is one of my favorite pics of that car. Original CA plates, original PONTIAC letters on the taillights, Jamaica Yellow, and you would NEVER believe the car has 146,xxx miles! Love it!
01-18-2010, 02:17 PM
#37
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Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
I like your car...welcome to the Jamaica Yellow Club...below is a picture of mine
I bought it about 6 years ago and have replaced nearly everything very clean for 176,000. Not sure of the build numbers of the hardtops...I know there are very few. Mine is 1 of 37 TA Converts in that color.
I bought it about 6 years ago and have replaced nearly everything very clean for 176,000. Not sure of the build numbers of the hardtops...I know there are very few. Mine is 1 of 37 TA Converts in that color.
01-18-2010, 03:17 PM
#38
Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
There are roughly 482 Jamaica Yellow 1992 Firebirds with 29 of them being Trans Ams (7 being T-Tops) and 15 of them being GTAs (2 being T-Tops). These figures aren't 100% as there is some data missing in the 1992 database.
I like your car...welcome to the Jamaica Yellow Club...below is a picture of mine
I bought it about 6 years ago and have replaced nearly everything very clean for 176,000. Not sure of the build numbers of the hardtops...I know there are very few. Mine is 1 of 37 TA Converts in that color.
I bought it about 6 years ago and have replaced nearly everything very clean for 176,000. Not sure of the build numbers of the hardtops...I know there are very few. Mine is 1 of 37 TA Converts in that color.
02-07-2010, 04:44 PM
#40
Re: 2100 miles later, my Jamaica Yellow TA is home!
The numbers come from Compnine's database. They currently show 22,334 1992 Firebird/Trans Am/GTA/Formula hardtops/t-tops in their database with an additional 1,843 being convertibles for a total 24,177 VINs. Our website shows just over 27K for 1992 production, so as I mentioned above, the Compnine database is not 100% complete and has some margin of error.
I just checked and the figures are still the same. They do add new VINs to their database, but it doesn't look like 1992 Firebird received any recent additions.
I just checked and the figures are still the same. They do add new VINs to their database, but it doesn't look like 1992 Firebird received any recent additions.
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